Quincy Owusu-Abeyie pictured with Blues boss Alex McLeish.

Blues' latest signing Quincy Owusu-Abeyie today spoke of his determination to make the most of his second opportunity to play in England.

The Holland-born winger initially came to this country at the age of 16 when he signed for Premier League big guns Arsenal.

But the then-teenager struggled to make an impression in the Capital competing for a first team spot with a host of household names.

The former Ajax schoolboy's career has since taken him to Spartak Moscow and a loan stint at Spanish side Celta Vigo but he now wants to put his nomadic days behind him and make Blues his home.

"It is time for me to settle in one place and the best place for me settle is England," he said.

"I went to Arsenal when I was 16 and left when I was 18; that is a young age and I didn't really do enough to show what I was capable of and I wasn't focused enough at that time.

"But I have matured now, I'm 22 and I want to make the most of this second opportunity to play in England and prove myself.

"I had a couple of chances in the Carling Cup and FA Cup and I started one game in the Premiership for Arsenal against Portsmouth.

"But it's not easy to breakthrough at Arsenal because there have been a lot of great players there, the likes of Jermaine Pennant and David Bentley.

"You want to play first team football but if it's not working then you just have to look at the bigger picture and make that step to move on."

The Ghana international attracted last minute interest from a Premier League team but turned down that opportunity in favour of a move to St. Andrew's.

Owusu-Abeyie in action for Arsenal.

The transfer has taken several weeks to conclude and has been conducted in the full glare of the media who have been tracking the long-running saga.

Owusu-Abeyie said that he never had any other thought in his mind than to reward Blues' persistence by signing a loan deal with the club.

"As soon as I came here to look around and they told me that they wanted me then it was an easy decision to make," he added.

"I could have gone to the Premier League but Birmingham are a great team and I want to help them go back up in the first season.

"Hopefully I can do well and we can go up to the Premier League and I can get a permanent deal.

"Birmingham were in the Premier League last season and there are some good players here, people like Kevin Phillips, Marcus Bent and Seb Larsson.

"There is a lot of expectation but I think we can do it if we stay strong mentally."